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How to Fix Snipping Tool Not Recording Audio During Screen Capture

Olivia Miller Sep 29, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to record system or microphone sound while using the Snipping Tool's screen capture feature, despite having audio permissions enabled.

How to Fix Snipping Tool Not Recording Audio During Screen Capture

Product: Windows Snipping Tool
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Recording a screen with narration or system audio using the built-in Windows Snipping Tool.
Observed behavior: The screen capture video successfully records the screen, but the final video file has no sound, even though microphone access appears to be turned on.

Before you start

Verify that your microphone is properly plugged in, system volume is turned up, and the microphone is not hardware-muted before testing the screen recorder.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Windows 11 Version and Update Snipping Tool

Audio recording is a recently added feature and is only officially supported in newer versions of the Snipping Tool on Windows 11.

If you are running Windows 10 or an outdated version of Windows 11, the Snipping Tool will lack the built-in capability to capture microphone or system audio.

Check Windows Version

Press the Windows Key + I to open Settings, navigate to 'Windows Update', and click 'Check for updates' to ensure your operating system is fully up to date.

Open Microsoft Store

Click on the Start menu, search for 'Microsoft Store', and launch the application.

Update Apps

Click on 'Library' in the bottom-left corner of the Microsoft Store window, then click the 'Get updates' button to force an update for all apps, including Snipping Tool.

Verify App Version

Open the Snipping Tool, click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner, select 'Settings', and scroll down to 'About this app' to confirm it is running the latest version.

Verify Windows 11 Version and Update Snipping Tool

Windows 10 Compatibility: Windows 10 users cannot use the Snipping Tool for video or audio recording. If you are on Windows 10, consider using the Xbox Game Bar (Windows Key + G) or WPS Office's Screen Recorder.

Solution 2

Configure Microphone Privacy Permissions

Snipping Tool must be explicitly granted permission to access your microphone through the Windows Privacy and Security settings.

Solution 3

Close Conflicting Audio Applications

Other background applications or remote desktop audio policies might be taking exclusive control of your microphone.

Built-in Screen Recorder

Record Your Screen and Audio Seamlessly with WPS Office

If the Windows Snipping Tool continues to fail or if you are using an older Windows version, use the built-in Screen Recorder in WPS Office. It effortlessly captures your screen, system sound, and microphone audio without complex setup.

1. Launch WPS Office: Open WPS Office on your computer and open any document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
2. Access the Screen Recorder: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Screen Recorder'.
3. Enable Audio Sources: In the recording floating toolbar, make sure both the 'Microphone' and 'System Audio' icons are toggled on and unmuted.
4. Start Recording: Select your desired screen area and click the red 'REC' button to begin capturing your screen with flawless audio.

Built-in screen recording tool guarantees synchronized system and microphone audioFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Works perfectly on multiple Windows versions without restrictive OS limitationsLightweight alternative that lets you export recordings directly to standard video formats

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record audio with the Snipping Tool on Windows 10?

No, the screen recording feature, particularly with audio support, is exclusive to newer versions of the Snipping Tool available only on Windows 11. Windows 10 users must use alternative tools like Xbox Game Bar or third-party screen recorders.

How do I turn on the microphone inside the Snipping Tool app?

Once you click the 'Record' button in the Snipping Tool to start a new screen capture session, a toolbar will appear at the top of your screen. Click the microphone icon to toggle your voice recording on, and the speaker icon to toggle system audio on.

Why is the microphone icon grayed out in Snipping Tool?

The microphone icon will be grayed out if Windows Privacy settings are blocking the Snipping Tool from accessing your microphone, or if you do not have an active microphone device plugged into your computer.

Does Snipping Tool record system audio and microphone at the same time?

Yes, as long as you are using an updated version of Windows 11 and the Snipping Tool. You must ensure both the microphone and system audio icons are unmuted in the recording overlay toolbar before hitting start.

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